Clint Eastwood will always remain one of the best actors and directors of all time and it all began with the role of “Man with No Name” in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy which consisted of A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966).
Sergio Leone, who was also looking for his big break back then, wanted a lesser-known actor for A Fistful of Dollars (1964). Before Eastwood, the part was offered to actor Eric Fleming but he rejected it and suggested Eastwood to Leone. He signed a contract for $15,000 in wages for eleven weeks’ work, with a bonus of a Mercedes-Benz automobile upon completion and the rest is history.
Clint Eastwood got a role in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy because he was not popular
As per Fascinating on Twitter/X, there is a particular reason why actor Clint Eastwood got a role in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy. While looking for an actor for the role of “Man with No Name,” Leone wanted an actor who had no fame and Eastwood was perfect. Leone and Eastwood had a good chemistry and Leone once joked that Eastwood had only two expressions: with hat or without hat.
Since it was his first leading role, Eastwood ultimately signed the contract for $15,000 in wages for eleven weeks’ work and a bonus Mercedes-Benz automobile not knowing that his career’s trajectory was about to change completely. His salary was gradually increased as he was paid $50,000 for For a Few Dollars More (1965) and $250,000 for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). The final film in the trilogy faced a short delay as Eastwood refused to turn up for work until writer and director Sergio Leone agreed to his $250,000 fee, in addition to a new Ferrari.
The role made Clint Eastwood an international superstar
Eastwood rose to international fame with his role as the “Man with No Name” in Dollars Trilogy. The actor’s trademark squint in the movie was caused by the combination of the sun and high-wattage arc lamps on the set. Although the actor didn’t smoke and hated the smell of it, he agreed to keep a cigar in his mouth all the time. For all three movies, Eastwood wore the same poncho without replacing it or cleaning it.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Eastwood’s strong performances made him an enduring cultural icon of masculinity. With four Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, three César Awards, and an AFI Life Achievement Award, Eastwood is one of the most popular actors and directors in the industry today.